Progressive Politics in Minnesota, the Nation, and the World

Union Busting in Wisconsin - Under Temporary Restraining Order

A temporary restraining order has been put in place by a Wisconsin judge and the law is now in legal limbo. The restraining order was granted on the merits of legal action by Dane County stating that the state's open meeting law was violated.

A judge usually won't issue a restraining order unless a viable case can be made by the plaintiff. This order only grants the order on the basis of the violation of state law and does not deal in any way with the merits or constituionality of the law itself.

The Democratic Wisconsin Secretary of State's action to delay the filing of the law is pretty well justified now.

The good thing about this is that it will keep the public debate alive. As the news cycle swings away from the Wisconsin union dispute (which seems minor in comparison to Japan and Libya), it will have to swing back during the court process.

The action of Wisconsin's Democratic state senators has been a galvanizing moment for, not only Wisconsin, but the entire Midwest.